Anatomy of a Perfect Wedding Invitation Suite
What is included in a wedding invitation suite
Items in a wedding invitation suite
If you are reading this, you are probably embarking on a journey towards your special day! As a wedding invitation designer, I want to share with you how to put together the perfect invitation suite to reflect your unique love story. I’ll guide you through the intricate world of wedding invitations to help you make informed choices.
A wedding invitation suite refers to all the paper items included in the envelope with the main wedding invitation card. The goal of the suite is to provide a comprehensive and aesthetically cohesive presentation of the wedding details to the invited guests.
Must-have Items in Your Wedding Invitation Suite
Main invitation card
The Main Invitation Card: Setting the Tone
The main invitation card is the heart of your wedding invitation suite. It sets the vibe for your wedding day, showcasing your wedding style and color scheme. Cojo Moxon Design invitations are printed on high quality luxury paper. When working with couples, I ensure that this card not only includes the essential details but also captures the essence of the love you share. Your main invitation card can feature an element that is special to both of you as a couple, such as a custom illustration of the wedding venue or of a historic landmark in the city where you fell in love.
RSVP card with wedding website for guests to reply
RSVP Card: Your Guest's Reply
Option 1: Card with Wedding Website URL
The RSVP card directs guests to your wedding website. Here, guests can confirm attendance, select meal choices, and find additional details about the wedding day and/or weekend. If you have the website url rsvp option, then you don’t necessarily need to include an additional card with the details regarding accommodations, etc, since this info can be available on the same website.
Option 2: Card and Envelope for Mail-in Reply Card
For a more traditional touch, consider a mail-in reply card with a stamped return envelope. This option is perfect for guests who prefer the timeless charm of mailing back their response. If you opt for a mail-in reply card, it’s best to include an additional wedding details card in your wedding invitation suite.
Envelope
Envelope: A Beautiful Prelude
All Cojo Moxon Design wedding suites come in beautiful, traditional Euro Flap envelopes with printed addressing on both sides. There are a number of envelope colors from which to choose. One of my favorite color envelopes is Cool Blue with white ink addressing. If you opt for leaving the mailing to me, I ensure that each envelope is correctly stamped with the right postage. If you’d like to mail the invitations to your guests yourself, I will provide guidance for postage & mailing, and relieve you of the stress of navigating the postal service.
Optional Inserts: Elevating Your Invitation Suite
Details Card
Details Card
This card provides additional information like accommodation details, dress code, directions & transportation, and any other pertinent information. This card ensures that your guests have all the information they need for a seamless and enjoyable experience. It can also direct guests to your wedding website url for even further details.
Rehearsal dinner invitation
Rehearsal Dinner Invitation
Extend a separate invitation to guests attending the rehearsal dinner. This optional insert is ideal for those hosting a more intimate pre-wedding gathering. It can be included in the suite for those guests invited to the dinner rather than mailing it out a separate additional envelope.
Custom map and timeline
Map & Timeline Card
One of my favorite pieces of artwork to create when I am working with a couple on their suite is a custom wedding map that highlights the venues of all their wedding weekend festivities, as well as local landmarks special to the couple that their out-of-town guests may enjoy knowing about. If the ceremony and reception venues are in different locations, a custom map is a fun and special way to point this out, and ensures that your guests arrive at the right place and right time. Depending on the suite aesthetic, you could opt for a watercolor map or a hand-drawn map. There could also be a corresponding wedding day [or weekend] timeline of events and their locations. The map and timeline may be on the same two-sided card, or on two separate cards (separate cards is best option if the cards are letterpress printed).
Reception Card
If your ceremony and reception are hosted in different venues, you may opt for a separate reception card. This optional insert provides essential details about the reception venue, ensuring that guests will know in advance where to go and at what time, and is great to have especially if you choose to forgo the map/timeline card.
Informational Inserts
Tailor your suite with inserts that share personal anecdotes, the story of how you met, or even a fun illustrated timeline of your relationship. These details add a personal touch to your invitations, making them truly unique.
Bring your wedding motifs into your envelope liners
Envelope Liner
Enhance the beauty of your invitation envelope with a curated liner. A liner can feature artwork that complements the rest of your suite, creating a cohesive and visually stunning ensemble. You can incorporate a custom venue illustration or custom pattern into your envelope liner. Your guests may find the envelope liner an impressive touch as they open your invitation.
Hand-written calligraphy
Calligraphy Addressing
If you are like me and are in love with the elegant calligraphy look & feel, elevate the presentation of your invitations by opting for ink calligraphy addressing. This timeless touch adds a personal and sophisticated feel to your envelopes.
Curated Postage Stamps
Complete the ensemble with curated postage stamps that complement the theme and style of your wedding. Vintage postage stamps paired with calligraphy addressing really just transforms the envelope into a work of art. Becoming a wedding stationer has recently transformed me into an avid vintage stamp collector. My late grandfather would have been proud!
Assembly Embellishments: A Final Touch of Elegance
My ideal wedding invitation suite would be securely wrapped in a beautiful vellum jacket and ribbon, and sealed with a wax seal. I will assemble your invitation suite with the following optional invitation wrappers:
Vellum Jacket or Vellum Belly Band
Wrap your invitations in a translucent vellum jacket or belly band, adding an element of subtle sophistication to your suite. You can pair vellum with other embellishments like ribbon and wax seals.
Paper Belly Band
Opt for a paper belly band that will match the paper and ink of your suite. Choose a design that complements your overall theme and ties your invitation suite together seamlessly.
Silk Ribbon or String
Embrace timeless elegance by securing your suite with a luxurious silk ribbon or classic string. The texture and color choices are endless, allowing you to customize the look to suit your wedding style.
Wax Seal
Elevate any of the above wrappers by adding a wax seal. Whether you choose a custom monogram, floral motif, or custom design, a wax seal adds an extra touch of distinction to your wedding invitation suite.
Your invitations should not only be beautiful; they should be a testament to the love you share and reflect how you’d like your guests to feel on your wedding day.
Collaboration is at the heart of my design process. I work closely with you, valuing your input and ideas to create an invitation suite that exceeds your expectations. By entrusting me as your stationer, I will ensure that every element of your invitation suite is carefully curated, from the texture of the paper to the choice of artwork, typography, and colors. I pay meticulous attention to detail to ensure that your invitations are a true reflection of your wedding vision.
Let's embark on this creative journey together, capturing the essence of your love story in a timeless invitation suite that your guests will cherish for years to come.
